Some mornings your pony seems a little quiet, and it’s hard to know whether to worry or whether he’s just feeling sleepy. Learning to tell the difference is one of the most useful skills a young rider can have, because spotting trouble early can make a huge difference.
The trick is to know what normal looks like for your pony. Healthy ponies are usually bright, interested in food, and keen to see what’s going on. Their droppings look normal, they’re drinking, and they move comfortably.
Here are signs that mean tell a grown-up straight away:
- He won’t eat, especially if he normally loves his food.
- He’s pawing the ground, looking at his tummy, rolling more than usual, or seems restless. These can be signs of colic, which is serious.
- He’s very quiet, dull, or standing in a corner away from everything.
- He’s lame, or doesn’t want to put weight on a leg.
- He has runny droppings, or none at all, or his breathing looks fast and hard when he’s just standing still.
An ‘off day’ is different. A pony who’s a bit dopey but still eating, drinking, and behaving normally is probably fine. A pony who has gone off his food or seems in pain is not.
Here’s the most important part: if you’re ever unsure, tell a trusted adult. You will never get in trouble for raising the alarm about your pony, even if it turns out to be nothing. When in doubt, always ask. Your pony is counting on you to be his voice.
